📢 Award Wage Increase from 1 July 2025
The Fair Work Commission has announced a 3.75% increase to the national minimum wage and all modern awards, including the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.
What this means for dental practices:
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New award rates apply from Monday, 1 July 2025
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All support and professional staff covered by the award must receive the updated rates
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Payroll systems and employment contracts must be updated to reflect these changes
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Practices paying above-award rates should still review and assess pay structures to avoid wage compression
Example:
A Level 3 Dental Assistant currently earning $28.78/hr will move to approx. $29.86/hr
Next steps for practice managers:
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Check each team member’s classification and new minimum rate
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Communicate the changes to your staff
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Ensure compliance to avoid backpay issues or penalties
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Review budgets and fees if needed to offset increased labour costs
Fair Work will publish updated pay guides before 1 July. We’ll share them as soon as they’re available.
For support with award compliance, ADAAMA PREMIUM MEMBERS can call us or email.
For further details, refer to the Fair Work Commission’s latest announcements.
Disclaimer:
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For advice specific to your practice or situation, please consult a qualified HR advisor, accountant, or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Award wage rates and classifications should always be checked against the most current official guidance.